recompression chamber

[bluewatertoy]

Just wondering if anyone knows
My wife and I are going to Cozumel in January. We were told by an
aquaintance that the $2.00 dive boat fee ,that the shops are charging
is all the insurance you will need for the chamber. Sound a little
strange to me. If that were the case why would there be private dive insurance companies. Or is this just the norm in Cozumel. Any recommendations on
insurance for a Canadian is appreciated.
33 Days and counting

 

[liberato]

Definitely not insurance. Most places have these (usually optional) chamber maintenance contribution fees. Who knows what happens to your contribution, though.

Dive Assure is good (never had to file a claim, though). DAN is also a popular source but I don't know what they offer in Canada.

 

[DandyDon]

The $2USD a day fee is a park fee; has nothing to do with the chamber.

Some shops do try to collect an additional $1 a day chamber fee, but it is only a donation - that might go to the chamber, might not?

Even though Canadian divers do not need dive insurance in their home waters, as you all have national health coverage, you certainly need dive insurance outside of Canada. I know a diver who waited until he got to Cozumel, saw a diver carried off in an ambulance, signed up for DAN over the INTERNET, and used it only two days later.

Accidents are rare, therefore the insurance is low priced, but you don't want to dive outside of Canada without it - not even on the US side of the St.Lawrence!

Obtain more information and sign up here: http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/

You also support a wonderful organization which supports recreational diving, and get a nice magazine subscription!

 

[bluewatertoy]

Thanks for the info Don It just sounded to good to be true. I will have to decide what insurance company to deal with now.

 

[liberato]

Looks like you can become a member of DAN but the insurance coverage is only for US residents. Unless there is a separate international website...

 

[DandyDon]

Looks like you can become a member of DAN but the insurance coverage is only for US residents. Unless there is a separate international website...

Don't know where the confusion came from, but I know Canadians who are DAN members and fully covered by insurance as well. DAN membership is required for the insurance, but the total cost of their top plan including membership is $99USD.

If you click Insurance on the left side menu and keep following the links, you should be able to obtain all this.

BTW, I always buy Trip insurance when leaving the country, for various reasons. You can get that there, too, if you'd like.

 

[Jim Baldwin]

The others posters are exactly right. The $2 is the park fee and some shop hit you up for the $1 donation. There are two working recompression chambers on Cozumel. I have had the opportunity to visit both not as a patient but just to see the facilities so I can tell students what they're all about.

Be prepared to spend several thousand dollars if you have to take a couple of "rides" in the chamber. One doesn't always cure the problem. Make sure you have room on your credit card if you don't have dive insurance.

Whether you go with DAN, PADI or another carrier it's just good to have.

We just got back from Cozumel last Friday and had the opportunity to dive with a gentleman from Canada for two days. Great guy and an excellent diver.

Know what the #1 reason for taking a hit is in Cozumel. It's not violating your tables or computer or ascending too fast. It's dehydration. This was straight from the folks who operate the chambers. Drink more water than you can possibly stand and you'll be about right. A bottle before the dive, a bottle when you get on the boat, a bottle during the surface interval and a bottle after each dive. The sun, wind and saltwater along with the few drinks you might have cause the problems.

Good luck on your trip.

Jim
Louisiana

Just wondering if anyone knows
My wife and I are going to Cozumel in January. We were told by an
aquaintance that the $2.00 dive boat fee ,that the shops are charging
is all the insurance you will need for the chamber. Sound a little
strange to me. If that were the case why would there be private dive insurance companies. Or is this just the norm in Cozumel. Any recommendations on
insurance for a Canadian is appreciated.
33 Days and counting

 

[ggunn]

Know what the #1 reason for taking a hit is in Cozumel. It's not violating your tables or computer or ascending too fast. It's dehydration. This was straight from the folks who operate the chambers. Drink more water than you can possibly stand and you'll be about right. A bottle before the dive, a bottle when you get on the boat, a bottle during the surface interval and a bottle after each dive. The sun, wind and saltwater along with the few drinks you might have cause the problems.

More to the point, DO NOT DIVE HUNG OVER. Doing so is just asking for a chamber ride.

 

[bluewatertoy]

Thanks for the reply Jim, all the info we can get is appreciated. will definitely try to stay hydrated and not have to many CORONAS in between dives.

 

[diveborg]

...... will definitely try to stay hydrated and not have to many CORONAS in between dives.

I have to give you the benefit of the doubt that you mean between the dives of one day and the dives of the next day, and NOT between dives of the same day, like during the surface interval. If drinking coronas during the surface interval was what you meant, then your are just begging for trouble.